English Explanatory Dictionary

alimony

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A court-mandated allowance made to a former spouse by a divorced or legally separated person.
  2. Nourishment, sustenance, especially for one's spirit.

Pronunciation

/ˈæl.ɪ.mə.ni/ /ˈæl.ə.moʊ.ni/ en-us-alimony.ogg

Word forms

alimony alimonies

Etymology

Known since the 17th century, from Latin alimōnia (“food, support, nourishment, sustenance”) (English aliment, as in alimentary), itself from alō (“to nourish”) + -mōnia (“action, state, condition”).

Synonyms

maintenance

Related words

aliment alimentary child support

Derived words

alimonious alimony drone manimony nonalimony palimony vaginamony
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